The Pentagon and members of Congress are expressing growing concern over a significant increase in military aircraft accidents. Internal figures from the Department of Defense reveal a concerning trend, with a notable rise in major aviation incidents in 2024. A series of high-profile accidents in 2025, resulting in fatalities and aircraft losses, suggests this worrying trend may be continuing.
Across all branches of the military, the rate of serious accidents per 100,000 flight hours increased by 55% in fiscal year 2024 compared to the previous four years. The Marine Corps experienced the most dramatic surge, with their rate nearly tripling during the same period.
The data, released by the Pentagon to Congress, categorizes these as Class A incidents – the most severe, resulting in death or permanent total disability. During the first 10 months of the fiscal year 2024, 25 service members and civilian Department of Defense employees were killed, and 14 aircraft were destroyed.
Experts suggest that the escalating trend is not attributable to a single cause, but rather reflects a confluence of factors creating an unsafe environment. These include increased operational demands, the use of more inherently risky aircraft like the V-22 Osprey, and disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly reduced military flight hours.
The rising number of serious accidents has prompted some members of Congress to seek solutions. The data was released to Senator Elizabeth Warren in January after her office requested the figures following a series of fatal incidents involving the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft.
Lawmakers are now scrutinizing the factors contributing to these accidents and exploring measures to enhance aviation safety within the armed forces. The focus is on identifying systemic issues and implementing corrective actions to mitigate risks and prevent future tragedies.
